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Tag: admissions

North Park Embraces Wearable Technology with Launch of Snapchat Tours

Learn about şÚÁϳԹϒs new Snap Spectacles and where you might see them next!

Snapchat: North Park’s New Spectacle

şÚÁĎłÔąĎ is expanding its social media presence and capabilities with the use of Snapchat Spectacles. Since the launch of North Park’s Snapchat a little over a year ago, the platform has consistently gathered the University’s fastest-growing social media following. Excited to connect with current students and the students of tomorrow, North Park has recently added Snapchat Spectacles to its arsenal. These “snap specs” are sunglasses with cameras and sensors built directly into the frame.

NPUSocial Social Media Page

How it works

An LED light indicator prominently displays when the wearer is taking the 10-second videos which are recorded at the touch of a button. The Spectacles are connected via a smartphone, and the videos recorded are then uploaded to North Park’s Snapchat Story. Snapchat has over 173 million active global daily users, and the Spectacles will help North Park utilize Snapchat on the go. This wearable technology gives us an innovative way to reach hundreds of prospective and current students already using Snapchat on a daily basis.

What to Expect

The Spectacles have already been in use over Homecoming weekend where we captured footage of alumni and current students participating in the day’s events and on the field at şÚÁϳԹϒs Holmgren Athletic Complex. Student ambassadors will also wear the Spectacles during select campus tours, an excellent way for prospective students to engage in tours that they might not be able to attend. The opportunities are endless, and soon you may see “spec snaps” showcasing students, University events, or new programs like Catalyst 606__.

Coming Soon . . .

Make sure to look for the first Snapchat tour, this Friday, September 22nd!

Plus . . . new filters will soon be available on campus featuring more graphics and Ragnar, our Mascot.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, StoriesTags , , , , , ,

Story Behind North Park’s Mascot

Contrary to popular belief, Ragnar made his first voyage across the Atlantic with famous Viking Leif Erikson.

Contrary to popular belief, Ragnar made his first voyage across the Atlantic with famous Viking, Leif Erikson. Since his brief stay in North America, Ragnar has since moved back to the north of Sweden. Because of North Park’s Swedish heritage, SGA decided to send out applications to Sweden when searching for a Mascot.

Whether by word of mouth or Viking sail mail, word reached Ragnar, and he applied for the position. “It’s really great to know that we have a real Viking on our hands. We knew the search would be difficult, but Ragnar was prompt in his response. He’s youthful for his age,” commented former SGA President.

On condition of anonymity, Ragnar also added that he requested special transport by “aeroplane” as his previous journey across the Atlantic “was sickening.”

Ragnar has received a healthy amount of exposure on North Park social media since his move earlier this year as the SGA Spirit Team is ensuring that Ragnar remains in employment for years to come. “It’s nice to see that in his millennium, he is still able to rally the millennials and we can’t wait to see what he’ll do for the crowds this coming fall,” said Alex Coleman, Interim Director of Student Activities.

*Facts may have been altered or fictionalized for the purposes of a funny story; live a little.

BlueandGoldDay

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Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags , , ,

Questions to Ask at College Fairs

How to get to know a school through a few simple questions.

Choosing a college or university can be a tough decision and one that will dictate how the next years of your life will play out. College fairs are a great place to search for schools and ask admissions counselors tough questions about their institutions. Because of the limited amount of time, and the fact that there are probably hundreds of other students looking to talk to the same counselor, here are a few questions that’ll get the most useful information out of your few minutes of conversation.

What’s the student-to-faculty ratio?

By asking this question, you already learn a few key things about the school. The first being the amount of time and dedication your professors will have to enhance and further your learning experience; the smaller the ratio, the more hands-on you will be with your faculty. Additionally, it shows you the value the University places on your relationship with your professors.

How new are the facilities?

Ask this question and you’ll be able to gauge the school’s budget and the amount they’re willing to invest into your education.

What is the culture like?

From here, you’ll be able to find out what type of extracurricular activities are available and the amount of value placed on life experience outside of rigorous academics. You should also be able to find out what the best living option is, on or off campus, as well as get an understanding of the surrounding city or area.

What are the most popular majors/programs?

Finding out what the school specializes in, or what is most popular, can give you an idea of what life will be like at the school and later on in your job search. This can also be what makes the school special, why it’s unique, and why you might be likely to attend.

What is (insert interest or favorite pastime here) like?

We all have that one thing that we love: sports, reading, gaming, or political or religious discussion and debate. Ask the admissions counselor how your interests or favorite pastimes are addressed at their school, and weigh it against others to see if it’s a good fit for you.

 

Remember, most colleges and universities will have things like financial aid, tuition and fees, residential buildings, and other empirical information easily accessible on their websites. Use the time with the admissions counselors to make that personal connection with the school which can’t be found on their website.

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Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags , ,

How to Choose A Major

Not sure on your direction?

Choosing a major is not something to take lightly. Knowing exactly what you want to do after graduation and the kind of direction that gives is important and helpful. What if you don’t have this same sense of direction? Don’t worry, colleges around the country have students entering with undecided majors. However, North Park’s commitment to preparing you for a life of significance and service offers you many people and steps to follow so that you can find the perfect degree to make a difference.

Career and Development Office.

To get you started, our Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO) has many resources to help you choose the right major to fast-track you through North Park’s rigorous academic programs. They have everything from career counseling to a Career Planning Course for those who want to explore potential careers. Anyone in the CDIO office would also love to chat with you and answer any questions you have concerning your potential career.

Talk to your faculty advisor!

All North Park students are assigned a faculty advisor regardless of their major declaration status. Your advisors have also been through college, some of them were probably undecided at one point as well, or saw their life going in a different direction; they’ve experienced what you have. This is part of what makes student-faculty relationships so great; they are ready and available to answer any of your questions, or just to offer a listening ear.

Stop a student on campus.

Either during your visit or after you’ve enrolled in classes, you’ll find many current students on the green spaces around campus. Being a small university, the student body is tight-knit, open, and friendly. Chat with an upper-class student about how they chose their major.

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Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags , ,

Parent of a Prospective Checklist

Prepare with your high schooler for the next steps.

As a parent, it’s an excitedly sad time when your child is off to college. Most likely, they’re moving out of the house and living on their own for the first time. There are multiple things that you can do to help your new college student be prepared for this next great step in their life and to ease your own mind too.

Here are some things to do during your student’s upper-class years:

  • Meet with a high school guidance counselor to make sure that your student is on track with his or her course schedule.
  • Make a list of colleges that are of interest.
  • Plan a visit.
  • Narrow down the list of colleges to those that the student plans to apply to.
  • Keep a calendar of application/scholarship deadlines.
  • Begin applying.
  • Contact teachers, counselors, etc., for recommendations.
  • Request that transcripts and test scores be submitted to colleges where your student has applied.
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Check application statuses online.
  • Contact the Office of Admissions with questions.
  • Wait for admission decisions to arrive by mail.
  • Celebrate!
  • Start packing; remember not to over pack, most dorms aren’t spacious, and if your child has or knows their roommate, have them coordinate what to bring.
Parents and students sit together in Carlson gym during convocation.

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Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags , ,

When You Visit a College Campus

There’s no better way to find out if a school is a good fit than to visit. Here are some tips on what to do when you visit a campus.

College fairs, checklists, and website research all help you prepare for college and assist in making an informed decision. While these are all great ways to get to know a university, visiting a school is an entirely different experience.

By visiting, you get a better understanding of the layout, you can ask students questions, and you can see if their facilities are right for studies that interest you. Visiting every school that you’re interested in is a great idea, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. Whether you’re visiting one or ten colleges, here are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your time there.

Set up a tour

Call ahead and set up a campus tour. It will likely take place with an admissions officer or a Student Ambassador. Some schools will also have preview days or group tours. North Park has certain days when students can take a campus tour and spend the night with a current student in a dorm; it’s a great way to ask the student questions and explore the surrounding neighborhood or city.

Never be afraid to ask lots of questions

Spend your time asking every question you can think of. The more information you get, the more informed your decision will be. And make sure you ask to see the places where you might spend most of your time: the gym, lab spaces, or the campus hot spot.

Get a feel for the environment

This will be your home for the next few years as you earn your degree. Use your visit to see how other students and professors interact with each other; then match your personality and desires against your experience there.

Take notes and pictures

Chances are, you’re looking at multiple colleges and universities, and it’s easy to get your memories mixed up. Notes and pictures will help you remember what you did and didn’t enjoy about the school.

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Author Ana FundukPosted on Format AsideCategories Blog, StoriesTags ,

Advice for Writing Your Personal Essay

Learn about the kind of impression you want to make when writing your personal essay for college applications.

The purpose of a personal essay is to position yourself as the prime candidate to be picked for admission.

Why are personal essays needed?

Personal essays allow the school to gauge you and your abilities on a non-academic basis. It is easy for us to see how well you’ve done in school, but personal essays provide a secondary window for the admissions counselors to get to know you better and gauge your potential to thrive. It helps to bring depth and understanding to a transcript, allowing you to offer more than your GPA and test scores.

What should I include in my essay?

Your personal essay should begin by capturing attention. This is where you make yourself stand out from the crowd. Tell us something unique about yourself! Expand on this and other parts of your story. A funny story is great, but keep it short. Finally, let the reader in on something important about yourself that they couldn’t glean from your application. Remember, the purpose of the essay is to show that you’re able to communicate well, and to help the reader understand you, your ambitions, and how you’d fit into the school’s environment. A well-structured and grammatically-correct essay will go a long way, but don’t fret over absolute perfection . . . this isn’t a thesis paper!

How long should the essay be?

As long as you feel you need to showcase yourself! However, multiple page essays generally contain more information than the admissions counselors need. Remember to highlight yourself and achievements in a thoughtful and deliberate way. A concise essay which clearly defines you is perfect!

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Two students study together at a table with their silver laptops.
Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags ,

Advice for Standing Out On Your College Application

More students than ever are applying to schools for undergraduate degrees. Learn what you can do to stand out.

Male students sit at a round table and study.

More students than ever are applying to schools for undergraduate degrees. Ivy League schools still have acceptance rates in the single digits. Most other four-year colleges and schools still admit only two of every three applicants.

So what can you do to increase your odds of catching the admissions counselor’s attention? How can you stand out?

Personal essays are always great places to stand out. Admissions counselors want to get to know you, to see if you would be a good fit for the community at the school, and to see what you can add to the campus community. The best ways to do this are through your application, transcripts, and personal essay.

Take your time creating your application. Make sure you stay above the minimum word count for responses, but below the maximum. Find ways to present yourself in as many quality words as possible.

Don’t skip the extracurricular activities section. List all that you participated in throughout your high school career. This section and your transcripts show the counselors what kind of drive you had both inside and outside of school. In high school, take as many Advanced Placement or challenging courses as you can, and take them seriously.

Not only do schools want students who can take the challenge of college-level academics, they also want students who can get the most out of the school’s resources, and students who give back to the school. Colleges are looking for students who want to use their higher education to become leaders and enact change.

This is exactly how North Park sees its role in higher education, to prepare students for lives of significance and service.

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Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags ,